Dove Tale Icons

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Our venerable and God-bearing father Seraphim of Sarov was a Russian ascetic who lived at the Sarov Monastery in the 18th century, and is considered a wonder-worker. The Church commemorates St. Seraphim on January 2, and the opening of his relics on July 19. He is generally considered the greatest of the 19th-century startsy (elders). Seraphim extended the monasticteachings of contemplation, theoria and self-denial to the layperson. He taught that the purpose of the Christian life was to acquire the Holy Spirit. Perhaps his most popular quotation amongst Orthodox believers is "Acquire a peaceful spirit, and thousands around you will be saved."

Christ on a White Horse - Revelation 19

11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had[a] a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean,[b] followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp[c] sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

George the Trophy-bearer

The holy martyr George slaying the dragon in a 15th-century icon from Novgorod, now in the Russian Museum. The holy, glorious and right-victorious Great-martyr and Trophy-bearer George was a Christian Roman soldier killed under Diocletian at the beginning of the fourth century. Though he was born in Cappadocia, his mother was from Palestine, and thus he is a particular favorite of many Palestinian Christians. He is also the patron saint of Moscow, Georgia, and England, amongst other places. The Church commemorates George on April 23, and the translation of his relics on November 3.

Monday, July 25, 2016

SEE BELOW THIS POST FOR 3 NEW ICONS

CONTACT FR. LEO... UPDATED:

Iconography by the Hand of Archpriest Leo Arrowsmith

Priest-iconographer Fr. Leo is the Former Rector of St. Innocent of Alaska Orthodox Church in Livermore CA. Fr. Leo attended Icon workshops under Russian masters at Prosopon. Iconographers from throughout the world and from many eras have influenced him.

For more than twenty + years Fr. Leo has been blessed to paint more than 60+ icons for his own parish church and for homes throughout the United States. It is his prayer that God will use his work in a way that people will learn of the love of God.

Sales

At present time I accept commissions for the creation of icons for personal devotion. Besides commissioned work, I have created giclee copies of my original work which are also available.

I am also available to lecture about Iconography and the Orthodox Christian faith in Churches and on College campuses.

Approximate pricing guidelines are shown below. (these pricing guidelines do not include shipping or Sales Tax for CA residents)

When commissioning an icon, it is important to be aware of the fact that most of the famous icons of the world are 24” x 36” or larger. The detail that is so easily represented in a print is due to the fact that the image has usually been reduced many times. For this reason the same detail that you may see in an 8” x 10” print may not be reproduceable in an actually hand-painted icon.

As an iconographer, the most important detail for me in the icon is the face. This is where the eyes and expression will hopefully lead us spiritually to an experience of the heavenly. This is not to devaluate the rest of the image, but to hopefully suggest that sacrificing the size of the face for the sake of excess detail in a smaller icon may not be beneficial.

An icon is a spiritual investment. The icons you receive will last many generations. They are not just symbols for the wall or copies of famous images, but individually part of the common experience of the Church. No two icons are ever exactly alike. The icon that you receive will be unique and communal, hopefully acting as a spiritual tool helping all who view it in their journey towards the Truth. Icons are not just reminders of the Faith or symbolic theology, but a mystical point where the wall between this world and the next becomes a translucent veil helping us to shed the scales from our eyes and open our hearts to heaven.

Your unworthy servant,

Archpriest Leo

If you wish to proceed and commission the icon, we will then provide you with an invoice for the quoted amount. Orders less than $500 will need to be paid in advance. For larger orders (over $500), you have the option of an initial invoice of 50% of the quotation up-front and 50% upon completion of your icon. These invoices can be paid by check.

Use the form below to send us your hand-written icon inquiry and we will contact you about the details.

Full Name:

Address:

City, State Zip:

Phone:

Email:

Enter the type and size of the icon,

a description and the subject(s) you are interested in below:

(for an accurate quote—please be as detailed as possible)

Currently, hand-painted icons can be provided within 1-3 months upon the receipt of an order.

Our venerable and God-bearing father Seraphim of Sarov was a Russian ascetic who lived at the Sarov Monastery in the 18th century, and is considered a wonder-worker. The Church commemorates St. Seraphim on January 2, and the opening of his relics on July 19. He is generally considered the greatest of the 19th-century startsy (elders). Seraphim extended the monasticteachings of contemplation, theoria and self-denial to the layperson. He taught that the purpose of the Christian life was to acquire the Holy Spirit. Perhaps his most popular quotation amongst Orthodox believers is "Acquire a peaceful spirit, and thousands around you will be saved."

Christ on a White Horse - Revelation 19

11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had[a] a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean,[b] followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp[c] sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

George the Trophy-bearer

The holy martyr George slaying the dragon in a 15th-century icon from Novgorod, now in the Russian Museum. The holy, glorious and right-victorious Great-martyr and Trophy-bearer George was a Christian Roman soldier killed under Diocletian at the beginning of the fourth century. Though he was born in Cappadocia, his mother was from Palestine, and thus he is a particular favorite of many Palestinian Christians. He is also the patron saint of Moscow, Georgia, and England, amongst other places. The Church commemorates George on April 23, and the translation of his relics on November 3.

Thursday, June 2, 2016

The icon of Jesus is called "Pantocrator, Christ as the All-Powerful." The red undergarment indicating His humanity; outer blue garment indicating His heavenly origin.

The Good Samaritan Icon: a Jew on the road to Jerico is waylaid. Attacked. Left for dead. The Good Samaritan (Jesus) shows healing compassion, taking him on his donkey to the inn (the church) for healing.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

New Creation Icon from Fr. Leo

The style of this Icon is in the tradition of Eastern Orthodox iconography, a multi-layered method of painting from the darkness of non-being to the light of life. Icons are "theology in color", "windows to heaven”. Here the subject conflates the time lapse of the creation story into one image. Christ is seen descending in the clouds of heaven with a blessing for all that He has created. The Holy Spirit is depicted as a Dove from heaven. The Father is symbolized as a hand of creative blessing from above. Eve is seen coming from the side of Adam who is asleep during the event.

What a joy it will be when he wakes up and beholds the masterpiece that God has created while he slept. All the animals and fishes are painted in twos, indicating they are still with us. Those that later become extinct are painted as individuals. The newly created heavens compose a background for all that is created on earth. Note the serpent slithering down the fruited tree on the far right. The icon expresses, not how the creation took place, but by Whom all was created. God said, “Let it be!” and “Bang!” There it was. Fr. Leo can be reached at (925) 456-0845 orDoveTaleIcons.blogspot.com

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

HOLY EPARCHIAL SYNOD ISSUES STATEMENT ON TRAGIC EVENTS IN NORTH AFRICA AND MIDDLE EAST

NEW YORK – The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, that convened for its regularly scheduled Spring meeting, Apr. 20-22, issued the following statement regarding recent tragic events in North Africa and the Middle East.

STATEMENTby the Holy Eparchial Synodof the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Americaon Recent Tragic Events in North Africa and the Middle East

Every day we learn of people’s suffering throughout the world and it is easy to become desensitized to the pain and affliction caused in various circumstances and in manifold contexts:

Hundreds of migrants have just drowned in the Mediterranean as they innocently sought shelter, even as others exploited their vulnerability.

Thousands have been massacred in Syria, Yemen and throughout many nations of the Middle East as power and greed turn a blind eye to blameless civilians seeking to survive or escape.

Untold numbers are unknown victims of sectarianism, discrimination and exclusion both in their own countries like Nigeria and Zimbabwe or in neighboring regions like Libya and South Africa. Such conflict and bloodshed is not restricted to the Middle East and Africa but also wreaks havoc in Europe, with hostilities in Ukraine.

Before such ongoing horrific acts of brutality, wrought by brother against brother throughout the world, we will not remain silent, but raise our voices in solidarity and prayer. As Saint Paul reminds us, “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together” (1 Cor. 12.26).

Therefore, we express our concern and compassion for the situation of Christians in Egypt and Northern Africa as well as in Iraq, Syria and the entire Middle East. We express our support for their right to remain and flourish in their homelands. And we condemn every form of oppression and violence against all human beings, irrespective of racial origin, ethnic background or religious conviction.

We are appalled by the discrimination and brutality against people of every religion, but especially against Christians kidnapped and indiscriminately slaughtered. We recall with profound sorrow the disappearance two years ago, during this very period after the celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection, of the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Boulos Yazigi (brother of His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch) and the Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Yohanna Ibrahim, both of Aleppo, Syria, who were kidnapped by Islamist militants during a joint philanthropic mission in the region. We continue to pray for their safe return among us.

Moreover, we profoundly grieve over the very recent loss of the Ethiopian and Coptic Christians callously beheaded by Islamic extremists in Libya. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has always welcomed our Ethiopian and Coptic brethren in our communities throughout this country. We share in their loss and mourning at such unjustifiable events. May God’s mercy serve as balm for their wounds and bring healing to their communities.

We urge the faithful of our Archdiocese and all people of good will to keep our suffering brothers and sisters in their prayer. And “may the Lord of peace give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you” (2 Thess 3.16).

Thursday, April 9, 2015

“In the radiance and glory of this Holy Pascha we find the meaning of life as it was created to be. We see our goal, our purpose, our completion and our eternity. Our hope for the journey of life is strengthened. Our understanding of life, of others, of the world, and of all creation is changed in the truth and certainty of the Resurrection. Fear is vanquished, the threat of death is annihilated, and the weakness of sin is exposed in the enduring light of our Lord’s holiness and glory,”writes Archbishop Demetrios, spiritual leader of 1.5 million Greek Orthodox Christians in America in his Paschal Encyclical.

Orthodox Pascha is celebrated this Sunday, April 12, 2015, one week after the celebration of the Western Easter. The Orthodox date for Easter is based on a decree of the Council of Nicaea, Asia Minor, held in 325 A.D. According to this decree, Easter must be celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon of the vernal equinox but always after the Hebrew Passover to maintain the Biblical sequence of events of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. The Orthodox Christian churches have adhered strictly to this formula through the centuries.

Friday, October 24, 2014

Dear Friends of St. Christiana... Our Open House with Yard Sale & Old World Bake Sale is coming up on Saturday Oct 25. We are not only have our usual schedule but will be featuring our 10th anniversary as well as the 100th anniversary of the building we are using for our temple. There will also be a mini choir presentation. See you there!

I learned as a practicing iconographer that what I see is as important as what I hear. It is true that “Faith comes by hearing; hearing the word of God”(Romans 10:17). It finally dawned on me that faith also comes from seeing: seeing what? The word of God in images and color.

An icon creates a visual place to pray. Just ‘gazing’ reverently at an icon can lift my spirit to contemplate the realm of the Holy Spirit. That is why Icons are called “theology in color”. They express the Gospel truths through visual medium, and so are also known as “Windows to Heaven”.

Icons have lately been rediscovered broadly among Christians who thirst for the beauty of God and the Gospel. God is not just beautiful, God IS beauty, just as He is Love and Truth. An Icon is a work of beauty and beauty bears witness to God. Of course we pray ‘with icons’ not to them.

Over the past year I have “written” (painted) these six iconic events in the life and work of Christ specifically for our retreat:

HOSPITALITY OF ABRAHAM (TRINITY)

NATIVITY: BIRTH OF CHRIST

TRANSFIGURATION

CRUCIFIXION

RESURRECTION

PENTECOST

The retreat describes the meaning of each Icon. Then we are prepared to contemplate the Icon by simply “gazing” at it, and through it to the reality each represents, relying on the sensitivity of our hearts more than the rational function of our minds. It is an activity of the spirit whereby we place ourselves in the presence of the Lord and His saving work depicted in the Icon. This is because the Icon transmits the Christian faith in line and color.

Please register now for the October 11th retreat at San Damiano Retreat Center P O Box 767 Danville CA 94526-0767

I look forward to sharing with you what I have learned by personal experience over many years.

See you there!

Blessings!

Fr. Leo Arrowsmith

Priest-iconographer and retreat-master

The above Retreat will take place on October 11, 2014. Please contact Fr. Leo at fr.leo@outlook.com

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The icon workshops I have been doing of recent months have been very successful. A lot of folks want to try their hand at icon ‘writing’ which is an art genre all its own. Most everyone has different schedules because of work and other commitments, so I decided to make our workshops “open workshops”, that is, I will continue to do workshops each Wednesday from 9 am to 11:30 am, but each participant can choose when they can attend as fits their schedule. To do this, each student will be instructed individually even though in a group setting. Some will be just starting a new icon; some will already be completing their icon. Everyone can pace themselves as time is available.

If you are interested in taking advantage of this ongoing opportunity to learn to write your own icon or to improve your skill, please let me know by email or phone. (925) 456-0845. There are no pre-requisites, but some drawing talent is needed. Please let others know of the open workshop. We will continue to use acrylics as our chosen medium. Included in the cost of $50 per session is the pre-gessoed board you will be painting on and all other materials needed except four brushes which you can purchase from me at the workshop at cost if you do not already have brushes.

Give me a ring and let’s chat about the feasibility of working together to produce beautiful icons worthy of veneration by the faithful. There is lots to learn and I am eager to introduce you to the art and spiritualexercise of iconography.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Updated details: “Windows to Heaven”

Fr. Leo’s 2nd Workshop in iconography at

Bothwell Arts Center 2466 8th St. Livermore

We will be writing an icon of the Theotokos (Mother and Child). We will be in a better lighted room. This theme will require all the time we have available on Saturday and Sunday. Maximum number of students only 10. Only the first 10 to register will be able to participate. Board, brushes, and all materials are provided. $75 per student.

SCHEDULE

SATURDAY January 25th

9:00 am – 9:30 am Getting acquainted – distribution of all materials

9:30 am - 12:00 noon - Instruction in how to ‘write’ your own Icon of Theotokos (Mary with Child)

To preregister or for more information, call Fr. Leo Arrowsmith at (925) 456-0845 or email him at

Fr.leo@outlook.com

Fr. Leo’s blogsite: DoveTaleIcons/blogsite.com

ABOUT FR. LEO: A lifetime spent in drawing, sculpting and painting, Fr. Leo came to iconography when appointed Rector of St. Innocent Orthodox Church in 1996. Since then he has written more than 50 icons for the parish church. Now retired, he continues to write icons and introduce the public to icons as an art and a spiritual way of life.

A NOTE TO PROSPECTIVE WORKSHOP STUDENTS

Writing an icon is time consuming and should not be rushed. If you are unable to finish your icon during the time of the workshop, you may either finish it at home on your own, or you may make an individual appointment with me to help you complete your icon. The cost is $75 for an hour and a half individual session. If two or more make the appointment together, the cost is $50 per student. The sessions will be at Bothwell Arts Center .

Newest Update from Fr. Leo... Please contact him at his new email address for any questions or if you would like to commission an icon.

New Email: fr.leo@outlook.com

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: “Windows to Heaven”

Fr. Leo’s Lecture and Workshop in iconography

Bothwell Arts Center 2466 8th St. Livermore

WHEN: Sunday December 1st: Lecture on iconography

Saturday December 7th: Workshop in writing your own icon

SCHEDULES

SUNDAY December 1st, 6:30 – 8:30 pm (freewill offerings accepted)

6:00 – 6:30 Getting acquainted

6:30 – 7:30 Fr. Leo’s lecture icon painting

What is an “Icon”?

Praying with Icons

How to get started ‘writing’ your own Icon

7:30 – 8:00 Refreshments

8:00 – 8:30 pm Mini-workshop: How to line draw an icon

SATURDAY December 7th, 10 am – 3 pm (bring your bag lunch) Cost: $30

10:00 am – 12 noon: hands on instruction as you paint your icon of the head of Christ. Board and materials provided. Maximum students only 10

12:00 – 12:45 pm: bag lunch

12:45 pm – 3:00 pm: continued instruction and painting

For more information, call Fr. Leo Arrowsmith at (925) 456-0845 or email at

Fr.leo@outlook.com

Fr. Leo’s blogsite:

DoveTaleIcons/blogsite.com

This is your opportunity to learn about how icons are made (“written”); a brief overview of the origins and development of iconography and how icons relate to worship in Orthodoxy.

ABOUT FR. LEO: A lifetime spent in drawing, sculpting and painting, Fr. Leo came to iconography when appointed Rector of St. Innocent Orthodox Church in 1996. Since then he has written more than 50 icons for the parish church. Now retired, he continues to write icons and introduce the public to icons as an art and a spiritual way of life.

This is "Image Made Without Hands". One of the recent icons I have written.. The Transfer from Edessa to Constantinople of the Icon of our Lord Jesus Christ Not-Made-by-Hands occurred in the year 944. Eusebius, in his HISTORY OF THE CHURCH (I:13), relates that when the Savior was preaching, Abgar ruled in Edessa. He was stricken all over his body with leprosy. Reports of the great miracles worked by the Lord spread throughout Syria (Mt.4:24) and reached even Abgar. Without having seen the Savior, Abgar believed in Him as the Son of God. He wrote a letter requesting Him to come and heal him. He sent with this letter to Palestine his own portrait-painter Ananias, and commissioned him to paint a likeness of the Divine Teacher.

Ananias arrived in Jerusalem and saw the Lord surrounded by people. He was not able to get close to Him because of the large throng of people listening to the preaching of the Savior. Then he stood on a high rock and attempted to paint the portrait of the Lord Jesus Christ from afar, but this effort was not successful. The Savior saw him, called to him by name and gave him a short letter for Abgar in which He praised the faith of this ruler. He also promised to send His disciple to heal him of his leprosy and guide him to salvation.

Then the Lord asked that water and a cloth be brought to Him. He washed His Face, drying it with the cloth, and His Divine Countenance was imprinted upon it. Ananias took the cloth and the letter of the Savior to Edessa. Reverently, Abgar pressed the holy object to his face and he received partial healing. Only a small trace of the terrible affliction remained until the arrival of the disciple promised by the Lord. He was St Thaddeus, Apostle of the Seventy (August 21), who preached the Gospel and baptized Abgar and all the people of Edessa. Abgar put the Holy Napkin in a gold frame adorned with pearls, and placed it in a niche over the city gates. On the gateway above the icon he inscribed the words, “O Christ God, let no one who hopes on Thee be put to shame.”

For many years the inhabitants kept a pious custom to bow down before the Icon Not-Made-by-Hands, when they went forth from the gates. But one of the great-grandsons of Abgar, who later ruled Edessa, fell into idolatry. He decided to take down the icon from the city wall. In a vision the Lord ordered the Bishop of Edessa to hide His icon. The bishop, coming by night with his clergy, lit a lampada before it and walled it up with a board and with bricks.

Many years passed, and the people forgot about it. But in the year 545, when the Persian emperor Chozroes I besieged Edessa and the position of the city seemed hopeless, the Most Holy Theotokos appeared to Bishop Eulabius and ordered him to remove the icon from the sealed niche, and it would save the city from the enemy. Having opened the niche, the bishop found the Icon Not-Made-by-Hands: in front of it was burning the lampada, and upon the board closing in the niche, a copy of the icon was reproduced. After a church procession with the Icon Not-Made-by-Hands had made the circuit of the city walls, the Persian army withdrew.

In the year 630 Arabs seized Edessa, but they did not hinder the veneration of the Holy Napkin, the fame of which had spread throughout all the East. In the year 944, the emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitos (912-959) wanted to transfer the icon to the Constantinople, and he paid a ransom for it to the emir of the city. With great reverence the Icon of the Savior Not-Made-by-Hands and the letter which He had written to Abgar, were brought to Constantinople by clergy.

On August 16, the icon of the Savior was placed in the Tharossa church of the Most Holy Theotokos. There are several traditions concerning what happened later to the Icon Not-Made-by-Hands. According to one, crusaders ran off with it duringtheir rule at Constantinople (1204-1261), but the ship on which the sacred object was taken, perished in the waters of the Sea of Marmora.

According to another tradition, the Icon Not-Made-by-Hands was transported around 1362 to Genoa, where it is preserved in a monastery in honor of the Apostle Bartholomew. It is known that the Icon Not-Made-by-Hands repeatedly gave from itself exact imprints. One of these, named “On Ceramic,” was imprinted when Ananias hid the icon in a wall on his way to Edessa; another, imprinted on a cloak, wound up in Georgia. Possibly, the variance of traditions about the original Icon Not-Made-by-Hands derives from the existence of several exact imprints.

During the time of the Iconoclast heresy, those who defended the veneration of icons, having their blood spilt for holy icons, sang the Troparion to the Icon Not-Made-by-Hands. In proof of the validity of Icon-Veneration, Pope Gregory II (715-731) sent a letter to the Byzantine emperor, in which he pointed out the healing of King Abgar and the sojourn of the Icon Not-Made-by-Hands at Edessa as a commonly known fact. The Icon Not-Made-by-Hands was put on the standards of the Russian army, defending them from the enemy. In the Russian Orthodox Church it is a pious custom for a believer, before entering the temple, to read the Troparion of the Not-Made-by-Hand icon of the Savior, together with other prayers.

According to the Prologue, there are four known Icons of the Savior Not-Made-by-Hands:

at Edessa, of King Abgar (August 16)

the Kamulian, -- St Gregory of Nyssa (January 10) wrote of its discovery, while according to St Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain (July 14), the Kamulian icon appeared in the year 392, but it had in appearance an icon of the Mother of God (August 9)

in the time of Emperor Tiberius (578-582), St Mary Syncletike (August 11) received healing from this

on ceramic tiles (16 August)

The Feast of the Transfer of the Icon Not-Made-by-Hands, made together with the Afterfeast of the Dormition, they call the third-above Savior Icon, the “Savior on Linen Cloth.” The particular reverence of this Feast in the Russian Orthodox Church is also expressed in iconography, and the Icon Not-Made-by-Hands was one of the most widely distributed.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

My mom said on many occasions, “Son, you always choose the odd way to go!” She was referring to leaving my parents’ home in New York to attend Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles when I was 15 in order to study the arts of painting, illustration, life-drawing from high school teachers who were also successful professional artists. For me, drawing began at the tender age of seven when I drew a portrait of the neighbor’s jet black Scottie dog.

Mom thought it was especially ‘odd’ when I joined the Army Paratroopers in Fort Benning, GA, who sent me to the Philippines during WWII with the 11th Airborne Division.

Once again after separation from the army, Mom was shocked when I told her I was going off to the Jesuits right after studying art at the prestigious Bisttram School of Fine Arts on Wilshire Blvd in LA. Besides the usual long course of classical Jesuit studies, I continued to draw, paint and sculpt. I asked the Lay Brother who was cook in the seminary to cast a 100 gallon bar of homemade soap which I carved into my version of “The Thinker”. Thanks for the inspiration Monsieur Rodin! During the next rainy season we had soap suds floating down the hillside.

I continued my love of sculpture with such projects as a head of Christ in a block of walnut. The Dark streaks in the wood coincided with where the tears of the suffering Christ streamed down. We had lots of hard sandstone in the seminary hills which I used to chisel a more than life-size head of Christ. The Christ was always my favorite subject, but I also carved a full figure of the Theotokos in walnut. In those pre-Orthodox years I knew the Theotokos only as the “Mother of God”. Another sculpture was of the bust of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Founder of the Jesuits, with which I was dissatisfied, so I threw it out the second story window of the seminary. Oh my! After three years of intense studies I was awarded an MA in Philosophy in spite of throwing sculpture out the window. My thesis was on the Aristotelian concept of Mimesis (art and imitation).

My informal career in art blossomed when I arrived in Japan where I studied and worked as a Jesuit missionary for 12 years. Japanese art and architecture became my new love. I visited the ancient centers of Japanese art and architecture at every opportunity. After completing four years of theological studies with an MA in Theology, and one year of ascetical studies in Hiroshima, I began my four years of architectural studies in Tokyo. My first design project upon graduating from Tokyo University with a Masters degree in Architecture was a library for St. Mary’s School of Theology in Tokyo where I had studied theology for four years. During those years I continued to turn out sculptures large and small. One of my pet projects was a life-size Crucifix for a Japanese church near the seminary. The parishioners carried it in procession several miles to the church.

Upon my return to California in 1967 I began teaching courses in art and theology at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley under the auspices of the Jesuit School of Theology. It was while teaching there and working on a doctorate in Architecture (which I never finished) that I met Denise Mason, daughter of a Baptist Pastor from South Africa. Long story short - we married with the blessing of Rome in 1971. Last December we celebrated our 40th anniversary.

For some years I traveled as a ‘Catholic Evangelist’ but eventually found my way to Orthodoxy when I discovered the Evangelical Orthodox Church (EOC). We moved to Santa Cruz County and became part of the historic movement of the EOC into canonical Orthodoxy. I taught Philosophy at Bethany Bible College during that time. Metropolitan PHILIP ordained me along with more than 30 others to the priesthood with such luminaries as Fr. Peter Gilquist, Fr. Jon Braun, and Fr. Jack Sparks. This was 1987 on the Feast of Pope St. Leo the Great. So I took the name Leo in hopes I might be a bridge of some kind between Rome and Orthodoxy. Still waiting. Perhaps through iconography?

Ever since becoming rector of the OCA St. Innocent Orthodox Mission on Father’s Day in 1996, I have been engaged in writing icons for the parish. I had no idea how far it would go. Now there are more than 50 icons that I have written for my parish church. I am still continuing this ministry so dear to my heart. Over the years I have taken workshops in icon writing from both Greek and Russian masters.

I was able to share my love for icons when I began doing workshops for interested students from both Protestant and Catholic backgrounds. We even formed an ‘Icon Circle’ to share our journey in iconography.

On October 1st of this year I will retire as rector of St. Innocent and remain there as an ‘attached’ priest iconographer. Retirement will free me up to offer workshops in iconography. My key PowerPoint presentation describes both the history and process of icon writing. I tie it all together with Bible references to the spiritual dimension of writing icons. Anyone interested in arranging for a lecture or workshop can contact me at Fr. Leo@comcast.net.